About TUPD

The Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) is an accredited, full-time, law enforcement agency that is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment in which members of the Tufts community can learn, work and live.

Patrols are conducted on each of the four domestic campuses 24 hours a day with officers providing a wide range of public safety services, including alarm response, emergency medical assistance, investigating suspicious circumstances, and responding to and investigating criminal matters. TUPD personnel are carefully selected, well trained, and properly equipped to carry out these important responsibilities to the highest standards.

TUPD is committed to the philosophy of community oriented policing and understands that crime prevention, safety, and problem solving is best achieved when working in partnership with students, faculty, and staff.

Jurisdiction and Authority

The Tufts University Police Department receives its authority from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All Tufts Police officers are considered special state police officers under provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 22C, Section 63.

Officers assigned to the Medford/ Somerville and Boston campuses may, at times, be designated as deputy sheriffs in Middlesex and Suffolk Counties, respectively. Officers assigned to the Grafton campus are also designated as special police officers in the town of Westborough.

Generally, Tufts Police officers are authorized to make arrests for criminal offenses in or upon lands or structures owned, used, or occupied by the university, or in places where university business is conducted. This authority extends beyond the confines of the various campuses as determined by the acquisition of local special police status or deputy sheriffs’ authority or by previous court decisions.

Partnerships with outside agencies

The university police enjoy strong professional relationships with state and local law enforcement agencies. Cooperative programs and information exchanges are ongoing priorities. Through this reporting relationship, the Tufts Police relay information to the university community on crimes that may pose a threat to students or employees on any of the campuses.

Operational and technical support is mutually provided when necessary.